Chapter 112

Kamui from Group A, who everyone expected to advance in overwhelming first place.

In reality, Kamui showed off their skills by crushing every other team in their group.

The experts’ predictions were quite accurate.

The kings of North America who faced Kamui in the Finals last year.

Saturn V was dominating Group B, leaving the other teams in the dust by a wide margin.

Everyone had expected this outcome, as they were a team with enough combat power to have put up a decent fight against Kamui.

However, Group C was a series of fierce matches.

In the Group Stage, where you only play each team once, if there was a perfect tie even after calculating Set wins and losses, a rematch was required. Surprisingly, UA often saw rematches in Close Battles.

This was because it was common for one overwhelmingly strong team to secure all the wins, while the remaining teams would be locked in a cycle of one win and one loss against each other.

Varuna GC, who had earned India’s first Seed, had the best Game Performance and was the likely candidate to advance in first place, while the remaining teams were in a fierce competition to somehow secure a Qualification Spot.

And then there was Group D.

If one were to pick an upset in this tournament, it would undoubtedly be this Group D.

Nebula GC.

Crusaders.

Goa GC.

Super Sylph.

Group D, to which these four teams belonged, was busy showing results that shattered everyone’s expectations from the very beginning.

-Nebula GC and Crusaders will probably advance, right?

-That’s the most likely scenario.

-Nebula GC is this year’s Western European League champion, and Crusaders was last year’s Western European League champion.

Western Europe’s one-two punch.

Nebula GC and Crusaders.

The two teams, each possessing an excellent Attacker Ace, were renowned powerhouses worldwide.

Since they were two teams that had fought fierce Close Battles, trading wins and losses even in the Regular League, they were considered to have the highest chance of advancing.

But when the lid was opened, the results flowed in a completely different direction than everyone had anticipated.

The Western European powerhouse, Crusaders, who were thought to be able to defeat Nebula GC at any time despite having missed the championship, suffered a Total Defeat against Nebula GC in the Group Stage.

“Nebula GC! Their Game Performance is truly terrifying!”

“Who would have thought that the Crusaders, last year’s European League champions, would collapse like this!”

Nebula GC had already established a superior Match Record against the Crusaders in the Regular League.

Therefore, Nebula GC’s victory over the Crusaders wasn’t all that surprising.

The problem, however, was the content of the match.

Even if they lost, everyone expected them to trade some blows, but the game was far too one-sided.

It was as if every card they were thinking of playing had been read.

Every move the Crusaders made was within the palm of Nebula GC’s hand.

The result was a Set Score of 2:0.

On the Deathmatch Battlefield, the gap was so severe that it widened to more than a triple Score difference.

The shock must have been immense, as the Crusaders’ Ace, Katarina Verona, was at a loss for words during the break, just staring at the floor of the Waiting Room.

How shocking must this have been for the European media to rush to publish articles with sensationalist titles like “The Fall of the Crusaders”?

Nebula GC fans were overjoyed.

While Crusaders fans mourned their fall, the game between Goa GC and Super Sylph was about to begin.

-To advance, we absolutely have to get 1 win here.

-Advance… is that possible?

-Just trust in General Seo.

-Dami said she’d definitely win.

-Crazy bastards.

-These guys will believe anything Dami says;;

-Well… can’t we trust what Dami says?

It’s true that Seo Dami is the next national team’s Ace, but it’s still too much to expect her to carry Korea to the upper Tournament.

While such opinions were rampant, the match began.

The first Set was the Deathmatch Battlefield, Boundary.

Facing Goa GC, the runner-up of the Indian League, Super Sylph came out with the same Strategy as in the Preliminary Round.

Aiming to confuse the opponent with frequent position changes between Seo Dami and Hwang Jua.

It was an effective method and a tactic that was harder to adapt to than one might think before experiencing it firsthand.

-They’re using this again?

-No need to change what works well~.

-India isn’t a country you can take lightly, you know.

-Uh oh? The opponent is picking up the Tempo.

-If Goa picks up the tempo?

-Cut the shitty puns.

-;;;;

The early game Momentum was a fleeting advantage for Super Sylph.

However, Goa GC quickly caught up to Super Sylph’s Tempo.

They tied down Seo Dami and Hwang Jua’s feet and focused on suppressing the other three players to rack up Scores.

The reason this was possible was the gap in player Level between the two teams.

The crucial one-on-one Engagement power in UA.

When facing off separately from the team, who could Score more points?

This depended entirely on a player’s individual skill, and it was a fact that, aside from Seo Dami and Jung Yunseul, Super Sylph was out-Leveled by Goa GC.

To counter this, Super Sylph had no choice but to give up on Individual Combat and stick together as a single unit.

The problem was that clumping up like this had the major disadvantage of making it very difficult to secure Objectives scattered across the Battlefield, including Mana packs.

In a breathless Engagement, the Magazine in a Rifle could run out in a flash.

Then, one would have no choice but to use the Magazine summon Skill by consuming Mana, but the side that secured the Objectives could get a spare Magazine without this Mana consumption, so as time went on, this difference was reflected in the Score.

This was the reason why Goa GC caught up to Super Sylph’s Score and pulled ahead.

-They’re on a different level;;

-And these are supposed to be the same Pro Gamers…?

-India is really strong.

-Who was it that said Goa GC would be manageable?

-They are the most manageable, it’s true.

-Because Nebula GC and Crusaders are said to be a tier above Goa GC…

-Group D is just hell;;

The individual skills of the Goa GC players, who zipped across the Battlefield with Acceleration, were each more than worthy of being called World Class.

Ice Ravens and Nazmat Al-Sahra, whom they had met in the preliminaries, were certainly strong teams, but Goa GC’s capabilities were a level higher than that.

It was clear that, aside from Seo Dami and Jung Yunseul, the other positions were lagging in technical skill.

Even with Hwang Jua switching to Attacker, she couldn’t bridge this entire gap.

Just because her aim was good didn’t mean she could instantly perform prediction shots, sudden turns, or high-difficulty tactics.

In the end, the Score was 18 to 20.

Erasing their fleeting early game Momentum, Goa GC took the lead in Score against Super Sylph.

The Indian fans who had bought tickets to watch the game cheered loudly.

The sight of them chanting their team’s name, Goa, was somewhat startling for Korean fans to see, but that didn’t matter.

What was important was that Super Sylph’s start was very poor.

The Group Stage, where every single win was precious.

If they started the League with a loss, Korea’s elimination was practically confirmed.

-Please! Do it!

-Yunseul!

-Dami!

-You said you’d get us to the Tournament!!!

While the fans were anxiously wringing their hands, Super Sylph was stuck in place, their feet tied down by the enemy’s suppression.

As a hail of Suppressive Fire slammed into the wall, sending stone dust flying.

Seo Dami thought to herself.

How about we start shifting gears?

<Are you ready?>

‘I have been for a while.’

Even while cornered, Seo Dami’s expression was calm, and Han Youngin, who had checked her condition, nodded and initiated the Substitution.

Here, Substitution meant the two of them swapping places.

UA was a game that didn’t have the concept of player substitution in the first place.

And so, Han Youngin stepped to the front in Seo Dami’s place.

<Let’s go, then!>

Simultaneously with Seo Dami’s shout, Han Youngin drew forth a great amount of the Energy of the Ley Line.

It was the moment Han Youngin fully unleashed the Power of the Ley Line for the first time in this World Championship.

A cool sensation seeped into my body.

I could feel Dami’s unfamiliarity with it.

It seemed that no matter how many times she practiced, she had a hard time getting used to the Energy of the Ley Line.

Dami, who had learned everything about UA so well, just couldn’t seem to learn this one thing easily.

It appeared to be something difficult for people not born with an Onmyoji’s Talent or constitution to master easily.

Surprisingly, the one who had a bit of a feel for the Power of the Ley Line was Yunseuli.

What was the difference?

Perhaps there was something about her Soul, something invisible to the eye, that existed within Yunseuli.

Anyway, an Attack attempted with the Power of the Ley Line at full throttle showed a stark difference in speed.

An explosive speed that burst out in an instant.

It felt as if my body had become a sports car.

‘The European Ley Line tastes a bit different.’

Perhaps because I first learned it in Japan, the taste of the energy from a foreign land was somehow subtly different.

It wasn’t about whether one energy was better or worse, but more that the feeling was just different.

Of course, for the one on the receiving end, there probably wasn’t much of a difference.

“She’s coming!”

“Fire!”

The Goa GC players quickly launched a Counterattack against me as I suddenly kicked off a ruined building and charged out.

Their Counterattack speed was more than worthy of being called World Class.

But I was faster.

Seo Dami’s Physical, and the Acceleration Hwang Jua had cast on me.

On top of that, my speed, which I accelerated once more and exploded with the Power of the Ley Line, was more than enough to exceed everyone’s expectations.

This was the world’s top speed that Kato had enjoyed.

Charging in like a thunderbolt and digging into the opponent’s space, I pulled the Trigger without hesitation.

As the Arclight Rifle exploded with a bang and spat fire, the Goa GC Attacker was pushed back with a gasp.

I could see his surprised face.

How could a player charging from the front dig into the Flank?

An ultra-high-speed skirmish that was hard for perception to follow.

But, as befitting top players, I could see them turning their muzzles to counterattack.

However, they were still no match for my speed.

While firing, I drew my Lightsaber and slashed the opponent’s side.

I saw the enemy Supporter moving to put up a TP Barrier and kicked them, then immediately used Blink again to get behind the enemy.

I continued the Combo in a single breath, shaking the enemy with Spray Fire from the Rear and detonating a Grenade.

It was a one-sided game.

To counter this speed, you had to be a player in the Top Class of the Top Class, like Rachel Dust, Katarina Verona, or Nina Cruz.

Even such players could only block Kato’s Ley Line Boost by relying purely on prediction shots.

Unfortunately, however, Goa GC had no player who could execute such ultra-high-speed predictive Offense and Defense.

The Goa GC players were undoubtedly excellent players, one and all.

They would be among the highest Level of players in the so-called “human realm.”

But my speed right now was at a level that was impossible to deal with unless you were a player from the “divine realm,” that’s how ridiculously overpowered Kato’s speed was.

Knowing this well, the Korean national team had formed a lineup with two Supporters in the last Olympics.

They had showcased a gamble of adding Buff upon Buff to Seo Dami.

Perhaps if Goa GC’s opponent had been Kamui, they would have come up with some kind of measure.

They would have seen that every team that failed to stop Kato had been defeated until now.

But right now, in front of Goa GC’s eyes was not Kamui, but Super Sylph.

A small country in Asia.

An unknown team that was just starting to rise from Korea, which was considered the weakest.

For such a team to suddenly display such a monstrous Performance without any warning, Goa GC had no way to cope.

‘Dami’s use of the Ley Line is probably within Kato’s range of expectations. So it’s one of the easiest cards for us to play…!’

Destruction.

Clad in the Ley Line, I blitzed Goa GC and literally shattered the first Set.

My steps were as light as when I played in the domestic League.

-Great Dami!!!

-Are you insane!

-Noona I’m dying! Noona I’m dying! Noona I’m dying! Noona I’m dying! Noona I’m dying!

-Was Korea’s Game Performance this good?

-Did the team name change?

-This team is a clear Dark Horse.

-There were signs when they caused a sensation in the Preliminary Round.

-Is Korea trying to dominate another game…?

-India is weak…

-The level of play is completely different?

-This Eastern player’s Game Performance today was like watching Kato Mikane.

-To lose like this because they couldn’t stop just one person;;

-Goa GC’s game prep was too complacent!

One win at Boundary.

One win at Arcfactory.

Coincidentally, both Sets took place on Deathmatch Battlefields, and we brought Goa GC to their knees, securing a precious first win.

At the unexpected result, Korea was naturally in an uproar, and global fans also had a “what is going on?” reaction.

The result was that shocking.

For Super Sylph to beat Goa GC.

It was to the point where, besides the Korean Broadcast Team, it was hard to find any official who had predicted Super Sylph’s victory.

While everyone was in shock, the World Championship Broadcast Team excitedly headed to the stage.

They had to conduct an interview with the MVP, and today’s hero of victory was clearly decided.

A player who might become the next Superstar.

They couldn’t help but be excited to interview such a player.

“Seo Dami! Congratulations on your victory!”

“Thank you.”

-Great Dami! I love you!

-I LOVE YOU!!!

-You’re the best!

At the pterodactyl-like screech coming from somewhere, Seo Dami waved in response, and the Spectator Seats stirred once more.

“It must have been a victory no one expected. I secretly thought so myself. By any chance, did you, Seo Dami, anticipate today’s victory?”

“Yes.”

“Could we perhaps hear on what grounds?”

“That would be my super Hard Carry, of course~.”

-Kyaaaa!

-Great Per-Carry!

-It was a Great Emperor Carry.

-DamiDami is just a god.

-The god of UA…

“Indeed! The Performance you showed today was a play that was more than deserving of the words super Hard Carry. I heard that until now, you were evaluated as being at the Level of a talented Prospect. Was this sudden improvement in your gaming skill a Build-up you’ve been preparing for a long time?”

The Caster’s intention was clear.

He was asking if she had been hiding her strength and playing all along.

At this, Seo Dami pretended to think for a moment, then nodded her head.

“Yes. That’s right. Though I might have hidden it a little too much.”

“My goodness! Then since when have you possessed such skill?”

“While preparing for the Olympics, I trained with excellent players and gained experience, and my skills improved dramatically. I had an epiphany then, but the first time I properly showed it was…”

“Today.”

“Yes.”

Seo Dami said.

That in the end, the strategy worked well.

That because she had hidden it well, she was able to catch the opponent off guard and win.

“Aren’t you disappointed? To reveal such incredible skill at this Timing.”

The remaining Group Stage matches.

Group D was considered the most difficult group, and now that they knew Seo Dami’s skills were outstanding, other teams would surely prepare for her, the Caster asked about the future prospects.

“I wanted to hide it for longer, too, but I had no choice. Goa GC was a really strong team. I didn’t think we could win while keeping all our cards hidden.”

Respect for the opposing team.

A hint of interest appeared on the faces of the Indian Spectators, who had been crestfallen from the defeat.

“Player Ashuka’s play was especially good. Player Nazri’s defense was also impressive. Because they were such a strong team, we prepared a great deal. We probably analyzed our opponents more diligently than any other team.”

The Spectators nodded at Seo Dami’s words.

In fact, it was inevitable.

Until they saw today’s match, no one would have considered Super Sylph to be such a threatening team.

But as of today, that opinion would completely disappear.

A complete 2:0 victory over Goa GC.

A team that possessed an out-of-spec player with Top Class Physical.

Now, Super Sylph was a clear championship contender.

An object of caution that all teams would be paying attention to.

“It really comes across how much effort you put in for this match. Thank you for your answer. Now, then, your next match is against Nebula GC. They are a powerhouse that defeated the Crusaders 2-0. What are your predictions? Regarding the Win-Loss of the next match.”

The Caster asked if she wasn’t nervous.

That Nebula GC could surely come up with a countermeasure for the Performance she showed today.

At this, Seo Dami smiled brightly.

Why was she smiling?

When the Broadcast Team and the Spectators were all wondering, she parted her lips.

What on earth was she going to say? The Seo Dami in my head was curious about that, too.

“Actually, this isn’t the only card we’ve prepared.”

“Good heavens. This isn’t a bluff, is it?”

“Of course not. We’ve prepared something that will surprise you, so I’d appreciate it if you look forward to it!”

<Wow…!>

There’s another card prepared here?

If that were true, how could one possibly not get their hopes up?

If another twist like this were to happen, global fans would welcome it with open arms.

Of course, the Nebula GC fans cheering for Nebula GC’s victory grumbled at Seo Dami, calling it an obvious lie.

“I’m already looking forward to it. It wouldn’t be strange to become a fan of Super Sylph starting today. Now! Lastly, please share a word about your resolve for the next match.”

Resolve for the next match.

Before her final statement, Seo Dami stretched her arm out in front of her and pointed with her index finger.

At this, the people watching the interview on their screens felt as if she were calling out to them personally.

What is she trying to say?

Towards the curious crowd, Seo Dami confidently shouted.

“Nebula GC! You! I’m calling you out!”

<…calling you out!>

A declaration of war.

The entire world’s interest began to stir at Seo Dami’s Provocation towards the Western European champion.